a conversation with the beggar

I just hope you would not mind this intrusion of mine, but may I ask what good do you get by sitting here the whole day….”

by papa osmubal

A bank executive has had enough seeing daily the disturbingly hopeless figure of that beggar slumped in one corner of the city.

Actually he was not the only one irritated and annoyed, almost all the pedestrians were. His morning paper rolled and tucked between his side and his arm, he approached the beggar. His move attracted the attention of the pedestrians whose eyes and ears were so keen so as to conclude that they were directly involved in the affair.

“Sir,” the executive addressed the mendicant in a manner that may flatter or mock him without having to appear impolite. “I just hope you would not mind this intrusion of mine, but may I ask what good do you get by sitting here the whole day? This city is well aware that there are tourists and investors who see its beauty.”

“Sir,” the beggar replied. “The good that I get sitting here the whole day is no less than the good that you get by sitting in your office the whole day. It is also much to my awareness that tourists and investors see only the beauty of this city. Because this city hides everything except that beauty.”

In utter dismay, the executive loosened his tight necktie and turned to proceed to his journey for the day. Following suit, the onlookers proceeded silently.

Originally published:Issue Forty-EightApril 2007

Papa Osmubal is a graduate student at the University of Macau, in Southern China, taking Master of Art in English Studies. His wife and children make his home an eternal spring. He has been anthologized in Synaptic Graffiti: Slam the Body Politik (Literature and Art on CD, Australia, 2004); Mitochondria: an Anthology of Rarities and Loose Ends (USA, 2004); and Honoring Fathers: An International Poetry Collection (University of the Philippines Press, 2005). His poems have appeared in various places, hardcopy and online, and several are forthcoming in The Golden Lantern, Poor Mojo’s Almanac(k), Word Riot, Leaf Press, The Taj Mahal Review, and others.

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